Dodge driver spared prison over Newtown Tesco car park death

David Christopher Lumb was 78 when he died in hospital from sepsis more than a fortnight after he was tragically knocked down by an automatic red Dodge Nitro SUV driven by 81-year-old Timothy Field outside Tesco in Newtown on March 18 last year.

Blue Badge holder Field was waiting for Mr Lumb's wife to vacate a disabled parking bay when his foot became wedged between the brake and the accelerator.

"Blunt Yorkshireman" Mr Lumb was making his way to his wife's car when he was knocked to the ground by the vehicle which again launched forward over his legs before hitting another car. The incident was captured on CCTV.

Carno pensioner Mr Lumb, who was seen laughing and didn't think he was seriously injured, was taken to hospital but by April 3, his condition deteriorated as the tissue in his leg died and he was in "complete agony", Caernarfon Crown Court was told.

Mr Lumb opted for end-of-life care and died on April 4 with "a smile on his face", his widow said. Dr Jean Lumb told the court that her husband remained cheerful after the collision and "never expressed resentment towards the driver".

An example of a red Dodge Nitro SUV (Image: Thomas Doerfer/Wiki Commons)

"When I comforted Mr Field [at the scene of the crash], I assured him that we were not pressing charges," she said. 

"I still feel the same; that he had his punishment. I ask for compassion and leniency."

Her Honour Judge Nicola Jones praised Dr Lumb for her strength of character following the tragic death of her beloved husband.

"You were very lucky to have a man like David in your life," she said. "He seems to have been a quietly remarkable man.

"But I will say that you are a remarkable woman who has shown resilience and compassion and forgiveness which we don't often see in this court. That's a reflection of you and David.

Defence barrister Owen Edwards KC echoed the judge's words about Dr Lumb, adding that Field was "grateful beyond measure" for her "remarkable approach".

Mr Edwards said: "His gratitude is extended because of her kindness in being willing to see him at the crown court but also requesting to see him.

"They had an hour together and, in that context, when he found out for the first time that she had suffered a heart attack his immediate comment was 'well, that must have brought it along'. It's the measure of guilt that he feels.

"He is a broken man as a result of this and he has had a similar medical history, with two strokes. He was dealing that with resilience until this incident and is now wheelchair-bound partly by the loss of spirit.

"That has seemed to some extent been remedied by meeting Dr Lumb. He could not believe that people like her existed.

"He's lived with the pressure of a prison sentence which he accepts. What he couldn't live with was what he has brought about. He is somebody who considers road safety as paramount importance.

"The public must know that this is not a case where a man hasn't suffered punishment. He has suffered his punishment. He has given up his licence and will never drive again."

(Image: Newsquest)

Judge Jones told Field that he came to court ready to go to prison "and that would have been for himself some recompense for the death of Mr Lumb. But I am not sending him immediately to prison today".

She sentenced Field to eight months in prison which was suspended for 12 months after he admitted causing Mr Lumb's death by careless driving at an earlier hearing.

"The punishment is having to live with the death of Mr Lumb for the rest of your life," the judge explained.

Field, of Tregodva, near Dutlas and Knighton, was banned from driving for two years and must pass an extended retest before he can receive a licence.